Factors That Impact Fuel Economy in Heavy Commercial Vehicles

1. Factors That Impact Fuel Economy in Heavy Commercial Vehicles Fuel economy is a major factor that fleet owners must consider when purchasing and operating heavy commercial vehicles like trucks and buses. With the ever-increasing cost of fuel, it is essential that vehicle owners take into account the various factors that impact fuel economy of these vehicles. From driver behavior and maintenance to the truck or bus design and the load they are carrying, there are a variety of elements that can affect the fuel economy of heavy commercial vehicles. Without a good fuel economy, fleet management becomes very challenging. Not only does it affect the overall cost of operations but also impacts the environment. There are several factors that have a direct influence on fuel economy. In this article, we will discuss these factors that impact fuel economy in heavy commercial vehicles like trucks and buses and how to improve it. What is Fuel Economy and Why is it Important? Fuel economy is a measure of a vehicle’s fuel consumption, usually measured in miles per gallon (MPG). Fuel economy is important because it impacts the overall cost of operations, particularly for commercial fleets. Here are a few benefits of improving fuel economy • Reduces the amount of fuel consumed. • The amount of carbon emissions is reduced. • It lowers the fuel costs. • Extended life for the commercial vehicles. • Improves Driver Satisfaction. Factors That Impact Fuel Economy in Heavy Commercial Vehicles The following factors impact fuel economy in heavy commercial vehicles like buses and trucks. In the long run, these factors also impact fleet management. Vehicle Weight Heavy commercial vehicles are often weighed in terms of their gross vehicle weight. The weight of the vehicle directly impacts fuel economy, as the heavier the vehicle, the more fuel it will consume. Reducing the weight of the vehicle can improve fuel economy by up to 10%. As we are talking about commercial vehicles here, it is advised that fleet owners do not overload the shipment and keep it within capacity to help manage fuel economy. Engine Type Different types of engines have different levels of fuel economy. Engines that use less fuel will reduce the amount of fuel consumed by the vehicle, ultimately reducing fuel costs. There are several ways that fleet managers can improve engine fuel economy.

2. One of the main things is to ensure that the engine is properly maintained. This includes scheduling regular oil changes, replacing the air filter, and conducting other routine maintenance. Fuel Type Diesel fuel is the most common type of fuel used in commercial fleets, particularly in trucks and buses. Not all diesel fuel is created equal, though, and different types of diesel will impact fuel economy in different ways. However, there are ways fleet owners can improve fuel economy when using diesel like • Ensuring the vehicle is properly maintained • Reducing the amount of fuel used by the vehicle. • Installing upgraded components to the engine. Driver Behavior Driver behavior has a significant impact on fuel economy. Some practices, such as accelerating and braking slowly, can improve fuel economy by up to 15%. Other behaviors, such as frequent hard braking, can actually decrease fuel economy. Fleet managers can encourage drivers to engage in fuel-efficient behaviors by creating an environment that promotes these actions. To Wrap Up Fuel economy is an important factor when it comes to heavy commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses. For fleet managers, it becomes very important to deal with fuel economy to keep their operational costs in the balance and generate more productivity in the business. With TransportSimple's cloud-based solution, fleet management becomes more convenient than you can imagine. Fleet owners will get notified about each factor that will help them control and manage the fuel economy better.